Page 66 - My FlipBook

36 HISTOBY OF DENTAL SUKGEEY

(hen"" (in the year ITOU) "an examiuatiou has been required c those who
have determined to devote themselves to the treatment of these ' ^ases, who
liave received the title of experts vnlli the teeth (experts pour lei duts), al-
though many of these are less than mediocre in their knowledge.
"To remedy this need it was hojaed that a skillful dentist like Mr. Carme-
line might impart his manner of operating and his practical experience ob-
tained in a great number of fortunate cases of dental diseases. What this
renowned dentist did not do, I now undertake, and I will, at least, try to f'lr-
nish an example wliich he, with his greater knowledge and experience, might
have done with much better success.
''1 give to the world the fruit of my hibors and tliat the same
I liope
may become useful to those who will follow the profession of a dentist, and
to such persons as will have a care to keep their mouth in good condition it
may be of great advantage."
Fauchard first mentions the nature of the teetii, their growth, their
strength, their position and their use, then considers tlieir diseases.
"I mention more than a hundred of these which differ from each other,"
lie writes: "very mucli in excess of tlie inimber heretofore described. I divide
tlie same into three classes. The first contains the diseases whose cause is
traced to external things; the second wliose cause is liidden, and tlie third
embraces those diseases wliich are synipathctic and only occur occasionally.
In this last class I mention the most peculiar accidents, and lastlv I explain
with great precision the manner and method of preventing or of healing them.
"The relation between the gums and teeth is such that the diseases of
the one may easily extend to the other, and, therefore, I consider the diseases
of the gums also. Further I take up the manner of operating. It requires
greater knowledge and skill to extract teeth than is imagined by most men.
I s])eak of the care which must be taken to keep the teeth clean, how to file
them, how to cleanse them, to burn or cauterize them and to fill them with lead.
I treat uj)on the means to correct their misplacement and to improve their
position; to replace them if lost and to fasten loose ones. The loss of the
teetli is most unfortunate, but art can replace them. I have made and com-
pleted many artificial pieces and have discovered methods to replace the loss of a
portion of the teeth or all of them, and these substitutes made artificially have
become as completely useful as the natural ones. I impart my knowledge of
this in as perfect a description as I am capable of. The diseases of the mouth,
or other diseases which thereby are engendered, are at times so persistent
and poisonous as to destroy partially or completely the maxillary bones, or